Credit Financial Aid

A.  Philosophy

No student should be restricted from attending the institution because of limited financial resources.  To meet this goal, the college maintains a program of grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment for eligible students who are accepted and enrolled in the college as certificate or degree-seeking students in good standing. 

B.  Application Procedures

1.  Students seeking financial aid need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to begin application procedures.  The form is available on the Howard Community College (HCC) website at www.howardcc.edu/admissions/pay/finaid.

2.  Applications submitted by March 1 will be given first priority for limited grant funds; however, this process can be completed anytime during the academic year.

3.  All students applying for Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. scholarships need to complete the required application.  The application is located on the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu/admissions/pay/finaid or at financial aid services.

4.  Transfer students seeking financial aid must fill in the HCC federal school code (008175) with the federal processor by going online to www.fafsa.gov or calling 1-800-4fed-aid.  Transfer students must cancel remaining loan disbursements at the college they previously attended and reapply for a direct loan with financial aid services.  Transfer students who had a Maryland State scholarship must contact the Maryland State Scholarship Administration to have the scholarship transferred to HCC. 

C.  Eligibility Criteria

1.  Students are eligible for financial aid if:

a.  They are a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

b.  They have a valid social security number.

c.  They have a high school diploma or GED students who are no longer in high school and did not earn a high school diploma or GED, may still be eligible to receive financial aid by demonstrating the Ability to Benefit (ATB).  There are two ways to demonstrate ability to benefit: 

1.   By taking the ATB test administered by the HCC test center. 

2.   Successful completion of six college level credits also serves as the equivalent of passing the ATB test.  Students may complete the courses at HCC or another Title IV eligible institution, but are not eligible for aid while earning these credits.   The courses must be applicable toward a degree or Title IV eligible certificate, whether or not they transfer the credits to HCC.

Please note: students who are no longer in high school and earned a Certificate of Attendance, must demonstrate the ATB in order to be eligible for financial aid.

d.  They are in compliance with selective service registration, if male.  e.  They are enrolled in an eligible certificate or degree program at HCC.  (Students enrolled in programs not leading to a degree or certificate awarded by Howard Community College, such as surgical technology and CPA preparation, are not eligible for financial aid through HCC.) 

e.  They are making satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree or certificate.

f.  They are not in default on a Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, or Federal PLUS Loan.

g.  They are not in an overpayment status for any Federal aid program at any post-secondary institution or have exceeded the aggregate loan limits.

2.  Financial need is defined as the difference between a student’s educational expenses at HCC and the expected family contribution (EFC) from the student and/or the student’s family.  The college uses the FAFSA to determine the amount of financial need of each applicant.

3.  Students who receive financial aid must not only demonstrate financial need, but must also make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as determined by Howard Community College in accordance with federal regulations.  Financial aid recipients are required to be in good academic standing and to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degree/certificate requirements for each semester in which they are enrolled.  Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated at the end of every semester:  fall, winter/spring, and summer.  Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester will result in the cancellation of a student’s financial aid awards. 

Federal regulations require HCC to evaluate all students for satisfactory academic progress each semester regardless of whether or not they receive financial aid.  Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated based on the student’s cumulative academic record, from the date of entry to the college.  For complete requirements relating to satisfactory academic progress, refer to the college catalogue, student handbook, financial aid services page of the HCC website, or visit the financial aid services office.

D.  Continued Eligibility for Receipt of Financial Aid

Student aid awards are normally for one academic year.  Continuation is dependent on meeting application priority deadline dates each year, re-establishing financial need, making satisfactory academic progress, and continuing to enroll for at least one (1) credit per semester (six credits for loan applicants).

E.  Determination of Need

Need for financial aid is determined by the following calculation:

                                  Cost of Attendance Budget
            Less               Expected Family Contribution
            Equals            Financial Aid Eligibility (need)

To determine the expected family contribution, the calculation formula used is the Federal Need Analysis mandated by the U.S. Congress.  By completing the FAFSA, the family contribution is calculated and reported on the Student Aid Report (SAR), which is emailed or mailed to the student by the federal processor.

F.  Student Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

Section 493.A of the Higher Education Act requires post-secondary educational institutions to disseminate relevant, candid information on student financial aid programs available at the college.  These rights and responsibilities may be found in “The Student Guide,” (U.S. Department of Education), available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html.

G.  Financial Aid Programs

Howard Community College maintains and/or coordinates grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment for students.  Full descriptions of the programs and associated eligibility criteria can be found in the HCC student handbook, college catalogue, or financial aid services.

H.  Refund Policy

Students receiving financial aid have the responsibility to follow the college’s withdrawal procedures as outlined in the HCC catalogue.  Federal financial aid recipient refunds will be determined based on the current federal regulation requirements.  Full descriptions of the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy can be found in the student handbook, the college catalogue, and in financial aid services.

Noncredit Financial Aid 

A.  Philosophy

The philosophy that no student should be restricted from attending the institution because of limited financial resources extends to those students taking career-related noncredit continuing education classes.  The number of students served is dependent on the amount of funds available.

B.  Application Procedures

All students seeking financial assistance for noncredit courses should obtain application procedures from the continuing education office.

C.  Eligibility Criteria

Noncredit students are eligible for financial aid if:

1. They demonstrate financial need and show proof of income.
2. They are a resident of Howard County for at least 3 months – proof of residency may be required.
3. They are 16 years of age or older.
4. The course work is job or career related.
5. Financial assistance is not available from other organizations or an employer.

D.  Most noncredit applicants must pass a literacy test (reading, writing, math, speaking, and listening) to ensure they will be able to benefit from the proposed coursework.

E.  All noncredit students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and successfully complete all course assignments.  Students who do not complete and/or pass courses are not eligible for future noncredit financial aid.

F.  Students will be asked to provide follow-up information on employment and/or career changes as a result of the noncredit course.

G.  Financial aid eligibility is determined by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) annual income guidelines—an average between low and moderate income and is limited to course tuition, registration, and lab fees only.  The maximum award for noncredit financial aid is 80 percent of the total cost of tuition and fees and does not usually exceed $2,000 per year, depending on availability of funds.

H.  Information about financial aid for noncredit students can be obtained through the division of continuing education and workforce development and the HCC continuing education website.  Funds for noncredit students are disbursed through the Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc.

Policy Manual Review/Revision:   08/27/11